Broadgate

As I remember, Neil!

There are quite a few of these views from St Michael's. Might be a good idea to have them in one thread to make an interesting comparison? Anyway, think this is a new one.

There are a lot of views from the spire of St Michael's, starting with a painting from the early 1800s. That's one I'd love to photograph in real life... the painting not the view. I'm strictly lifts for anything above 4 floors with modern stairs, fewer with spiral stairs. It's not that I'm scared of heights, just of falling off/down them.

I love this photo and the raggle taggle view of the city.

Not a tall building lover so could never climb the spire!

What a shame, Neil. Aged about 9 or 10, with my friend next door in Wyver Crescent, we both ascended the Cathedral tower to see the view. However, as an adult it was much more claustrophobic, the ceiling much closer to one's head. In the Middle Ages smaller height meant less so to people then!

Hi all, A visit to Coventry Market today, via Broadgate, but what a dump. I'll try to be more positive next time. Ok, dismantling the fun fair, but even so ....... The Market roast chicken dinner made up for it, as did a visit to the Market model railway trader. Neil, I'll go via Spon End next time. Someone, please tell me it's going to be made nice.

They'll need to dismantle Cathedral Lanes first, Philip!

Has anyone any photos of the dig in Broadgate in 1974 on the site of the old prefab shops? The red ditch was discovered and part of a well was left exposed after the dig.

There are bits and pieces of the area and the well at Coventry Digital but not from during the dig AFAIK but the best resource is the academic book about it here. Try asking the archive at the Herbert, they may well have a cheap copy. There may something in the papers.

Broadgate pictured in 1937.

Does anyone know anything about The Red Ditch, the 1974 archaeological dig exposed in Broadgate when the prefab shops were demolished?

Hi Annie. They did find bits of ditches but they don't seem to be anywhere as deep or defined as the Red Ditch. There's not even an obvious castle ditch. Two reasons, the first being that the area had been built and rebuilt many times, including cellars. Ground level had also changed. Second, J B Shelton had dug the area before the temporary shops went up and even got to examine the area before the war as genuinely old buildings were demolished, including those on Derby Lane. There is a map of the dig but it's very hard to see what was where and to match the dig with reality. The area of the dig didn't encompass the front range of old Broadgate as that was already under the new road layout. If they'd found anything conclusive we'd know about it. Your best bet is to buy the book I linked to above, unless the Herbert can help. It's very technical. £30 is not uncommon for this kind of book but they do periodically pop up for less.

These are the men from Motor Panels Ltd, Holbrook Lane who in 1946 made the Elephant that sits atop of the pole in Broadgate. The pole/mast was made by Armstrong Whitworth. All skilled craftsmen, which at one time Coventry had in abundance.

Another Ad find from the 1912 Spennell's directory - Great to see the interior as well!